Confronted by mortality, Lynn Schooler sets off into the Alaskan wilderness.Episode One.Lynn is exhausted from attempting to self-build a house: a project he hopes may help revive his fading marriage.In recent times, people he has known have died and his closest friend, Luisa, is dying of cancer.He is fifty-one years old and concludes that time is short.In an attempt to make sense of things, he abandons his project and prepares to journey solo into the Alaskan wilderness, to try to circumnavigate Mount Fairweather by boat and foot.Lynn Schooler is the critically acclaimed author of The Blue Bear (2003) and The Last Shot (2006).He has lived in Alaska for almost forty years, working as a commercial fisherman, shipwright, wilderness guide, and an award-winning wildlife photographer.Reader: Colin StintonProducer: Rosalynd WardA Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4.

02

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Despite roughs seas, Lynn sets his small boat on course for Lituya Bay.Four days before starting his solo journey, Lynn's close friend LuiSa Died.With his heart as dark and heavy as the sea he has taken his small boat, the Wilderness Swift, out into the Gulf of Alaska.The weather channel forecasts very strong winds.Lynn must wrestle with the elements and his own, deep fears as he charts an irrevocable course for Lituya Bay.Lynn Schooler is the critically acclaimed author of The Blue Bear (2003) and The Last Shot (2006).He has lived in Alaska for almost forty years, working as a commercial fisherman, shipwright, wilderness guide, and an award-winning wildlife photographer.Abridged by Jeremy OsborneReader: Colin StintonProducer: Rosalynd WardA Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4.

03

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Exploring a forest trail leads to an encounter with grizzly bears.Lynn has explored Cenotaph Island and has once more anchored the Wilderness Swift in Lituya Bay.He starts exploring the remains of a mining trail which cuts into the forest.But he soon discovers what had once been a road for men has become a bear highway.Lynn Schooler is the critically acclaimed author of The Blue Bear (2003) and The Last Shot (2006).He has lived in Alaska for almost forty years, working as a commercial fisherman, shipwright, wilderness guide, and an award-winning wildlife photographer.Abridged by Jeremy OsborneReader: Colin StintonProducer: Rosalynd WardA Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4.

04

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Watching the flocking of seabirds leads Lynn to a moment of revelation.Lynn has crossed Cape Fairweather, and thirty more miles will complete his circumnavigation of Mount Fairweather.In the stretch between Grand Plateau Glacier and Yakutat, the sight of flocking seabirds leads to a moment of revelation.He comes to a decision.But there are dangers ahead before he can head for home.Lynn Schooler is the critically acclaimed author of The Blue Bear (2003) and The Last Shot (2006).He has lived in Alaska for almost forty years, working as a commercial fisherman, shipwright, wilderness guide, and an award-winning wildlife photographer.Abridged by Jeremy OsborneReader: Colin StintonProducer: Rosalynd WardA Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4.

05

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To have any hope of reaching the Wilderness Swift to sail back to Juneau, Lynn must first outrun or outwit the grizzly bear on his trail.But this bear is like no other he has seen.And it is circling him.With his back to the surf, and armed only with a pepper-spray, Lynn is running quickly out of options.Lynn Schooler is the critically acclaimed author of The Blue Bear (2003) and The Last Shot (2006).He has lived in Alaska for almost forty years, working as a commercial fisherman, shipwright, wilderness guide, and an award-winning wildlife photographer.Abridged by Jeremy OsborneReader: Colin Stinton.Producer: Rosalynd WardA Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4.Lynn has his back to the surf, and the grizzly bear is circling him.

05 LAST

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To have any hope of reaching the Wilderness Swift to sail back to Juneau, Lynn must first outrun or outwit the grizzly bear on his trail.But this bear is like no other he has seen.And it is circling him.With his back to the surf, and armed only with a pepper-spray, Lynn is running quickly out of options.Lynn Schooler is the critically acclaimed author of The Blue Bear (2003) and The Last Shot (2006).He has lived in Alaska for almost forty years, working as a commercial fisherman, shipwright, wilderness guide, and an award-winning wildlife photographer.Abridged by Jeremy OsborneReader: Colin Stinton.Producer: Rosalynd WardA Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4.Lynn has his back to the surf, and the grizzly bear is circling him.